Into the Fog (2)
Kirgil reflected on why Chiria had tried to kill him.
There were a lot of details left out in the simple explanation, but given Chiria's childlike way of thinking, she probably got it without needing more.
To sum it up:
She'd come looking for me assuming I was strong, but when she saw me, I looked like a total scrub, which pissed her off.
She sparred with me to expose my true colors and give me a proper thrashing, but something felt off once we actually crossed blades.
It seemed like she had the win, but it wouldn't happen, so her frustration built up. Then I kept needling her, and she snapped.
Well, she's just a kid.
But... her body is definitely that of an adult.
Her size and build are overly adult-like.
It's hard to guess her real age.
Even if she's a minor, that's a problem. And if she's an adult, that's a problem too.
If she's an adult, by my world's standards, Chiria might have some mental immaturity issue.
No.
Maybe this is just a bad prejudice from my old world.
Drawing lines and changing attitudes based on specific disabilities is more uncomfortable anyway.
Just think of her as a girl with a unique personality.
Better to be someone who can naturally accept and deal with anything than someone who nitpicks categories.
With that, he finished sorting out Chiria's hair.
"Yeah, looks good. Tidied up like this, it's cute."
"......"
Maybe she wasn't used to showing her forehead for the first time?
As he stared at her from the front, Chiria fidgeted restlessly, her face flushing red.
Then their eyes met, and she quickly covered her face with her hands.
"Keeping your eyes closed on watch duty is dereliction of duty, Chiria."
After finishing with her hair and standing up, he gave her head a light pat.
She beamed at him.
He started preparing to depart.
Chiria stood back up and switched to alert mode.
He tossed the last of the firewood into the fire, packed the sleeping bags, and used the extra time to prep breakfast.
It's best if the early riser handles this stuff.
While prepping the breakfast ingredients...
"Captain Kirgil. Um, over there... you know..."
Chiria's face brightened, and so did her personality, it seemed.
Chatting during duty? He had to indulge her with a smile.
"Yeah, go ahead. It's fine."
"Chiria has her coming-of-age ceremony at home next year.
She performs martial arts in front of the family. Chiria will do the dragon tale."
What an impressive family.
Chiria treats dragon subjugation as her rite of passage... wait!?
Coming-of-age ceremony!?
If this world does them in adolescence like mine, Chiria's around seventeen. Maybe even born the same year as Reshi.
But this is this world.
Even after reaching adulthood age, if you don't complete the rite, you might not be recognized as one. Or they could hold it late.
Or early, on the flip side.
Chiria's mental age seems lower than a typical seventeen-year-old.
Hmm... maybe that's my bias again.
The more new people I meet, the more I realize how different I am and how lacking my knowledge is.
"Captain Kirgil too, at Chiria's coming-of-age... um, that..."
It sounded like an invite to her family's ceremony.
Seemed to take a lot of resolve to say more.
Finally, she squeezed her eyes shut and blurted it out.
"Please tie Chiria's hair again."
Cute request compared to the buildup.
But tying her hair in front of the whole family? Even an outsider like me would see it as special.
This could turn a coming-of-age into a wedding vibe. Scary.
And her terrifying dad might be there, loading a shotgun. Or maybe firing that great bow?
Ugh, I miss Ashu's advice on culture and politics right now. No clue what attending that clan's rite means, so I can't answer easily.
I get that she likes me, but how to reply without hurting this sensitive girl's feelings?
"Hmm, well... isn't there someone better at hair than me if it's just tying it?"
Chiria shook her head furiously—no, that's not it.
Best desperate answer my brain could squeeze out, but no dice.
"Captain Kirgil... or else... um, it won't... work."
She's begging that earnestly. No choice.
No half-assed tension either.
"Chiria, I have a girlfriend."
"Chiria knows."
"But going to another girl's family event would be awkward."
"Chiria is fine with it."
"......"
Right. Forgot this world's sexual ethics again. Still not used to it.
In a way, Chiria's purely innocent.
Pure by this world's sexual ethics.
"Um, still..."
"Whoa!? What the—? Who are you!?"
Ragi burst out dramatically just after waking, interrupting as she approached Chiria.
"Chiria, this changes your whole vibe. So cute! Before, you looked perfect for chasing off annoying guys when we were together. Now? Those pests will swarm you!"
Sudden praise overload—Chiria's face mixed joy, shock, and embarrassment in confusion.
Chaotic, yeah.
"Lemme see, if we style it a bit more..."
As Ragi reached for her hair to fix the rough spots...
Chiria jolted in alarm.
"Aaaah... don't... touch Chiria!!"
Whoosh!!
A gust strong enough to flicker the campfire in front of him.
Chiria had swung her spear.
Looking over, Ragi was frozen in a deep backbend bridge.
Lucky dodge, but razor-close pose.
"O-okay, won't touch... Attacking now would actually kill me."
Parlen, who saw the scene right after waking, shot up.
"Chiria!! First you threw a chair at a comrade, now swinging weapons!?
You planning to kill your teammates over petty feelings?"
"Chiria didn't... mean to kill.
N-not the blade. The shaft. For real. Won't kill at this level."
"You little shit... you messing with me!? That shaft's wind just slapped my face! Ah...
Damn... sigh, yeah, won't kill. But you think you'd walk away unscathed? Limbs intact? Fuck... argh!"
Parlen was furious but holding back. Curses almost slipped, then sighs; words forming, then more sighs.
Finally, he took a deep breath and toned down his language to Chiria's mental level.
"You know we're not on a picnic, right?
Make an injured teammate out here? Drag a heavy casualty on the march? Or flop down recovering till they're healed?
Time to burn? Food overflowing? Think monsters pity us with wounded? Huh?
Wanna fail before reaching the goal over your petty shit? Want Captain Kirgil to give up and turn back? Huh?!"
"Ch-Chiria didn't mean...
"What? Can't hear. Answer straight!!"
Chiria shrank, eyes squeezed shut.
Whoa, Parlen's veteran soldier vibe shines. Total head-melting.
"Chiria... um... that... over there."
She glanced at him pleadingly, but Parlen was spot-on—no intervening.
"Staring at the captain changes what? He a nanny wiping asses for bedwetters?
Answer with your mouth, your thoughts!!"
No way she could reply.
Get grilled like that, a junior just yells "Sorry! I'll fix it!"
Chiria scanned around like a cornered animal.
No one stopped Parlen.
Including him, all watched Chiria silently.
No kid could miss this vibe and pressure.
"No... Chiria... uweee... sob sob... hic..."
Finally, Chiria's tears burst.
Of all times, right after baring her cute face.
Desperately fighting sobs—pitiful sight.
Suddenly seemed so small.
Humans are social creatures.
Regardless of strength or skill, without family, comrades, society's nod—you're instantly weak.
Bullies aren't just small and weak victims. Big, strong kids like Chiria can get it too.
Of course, no plans to bully her.
Warrior pride? Or just hiding tears?
She covered her face and turned away.
He signaled Parlen to stop and approached Chiria.
"Chiria. Hair's messed up again. C'mere."
Excuse to pat her lightly. Comfort with gentle touches now.
He'd handled plenty of girls' tears lately.
Holding her head, a quick stroke—and she couldn't hold back, clinging and bawling openly.
Big frame, but soft heart. Still a kid.
Took tears till his chest soaked.
Wiped her nose, fixed her hair again.
When her sniffles eased, away from the group, he spoke calmly.
"Parlen was right earlier. You messed up, Chiria."
"Yes, Chiria was wrong. Sniff..."
"So what do you do?"
"Take punishment."
"......"
How do they raise kids in that family?
Almost asked what punishment—held back.
"Not that. Apologize. Tell Ragi and Parlen you're sorry and you'll be careful."
"Sorry."
"Not to me—to Parlen."
"Uweee... yes. Ch-Chiria will."
Scared stiff. Makes sense after that roasting—tough to approach for a while.
Kids need adult guidance.
"C'mon, hold hands. We'll go together."
Finally followed cautiously.
Like dad leading a child—but height gap might look like kid dragging mom.
Anyway, Chiria stood awkwardly before Parlen and Ragi by the fire.
"Chiria was wrong. Won't happen again!"
...She apologized loud for her.
Parlen and Ragi praised her like uncle and aunt, offering breakfast.
Perfect. Sudden harmonious family vibe.
And the coming-of-age talk? Poof—gone.
Everything worked out.
Perfect~ Really.